AHRQ Releases Reports on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), formerly the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, today released two research reports: Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder produced by AHRQ contractor, Technical Resources International, Inc. (TRI), Rockville, MD, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by the McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, one of 12 AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs). The Diagnosis report addresses ADHD prevalence in the general population and in pediatric clinic settings. It also examines the accuracy of both ADHD-specific and general behavioral rating scales as tools to identify children with ADHD, and reviews evidence of the value of other medical screening tests in children with possible ADHD. The Treatment report discusses direct comparisons of pharmacological treatments and compares pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The reports represent comprehensive, systematic reviews of the existing scientific evidence, emphasizing the implications for clinical practice and the opportunities for future research to fill knowledge gaps.

For the Diagnosis report, the American Academy of Pediatrics was a partner with AHRQ and TRI. For the Treatment report, the McMaster EPC also worked with AHRQ partner, the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The full reports for the Diagnosis report (AHCPR 99-0050) and the Treatment report (AHRQ 99-EO18) will be available in Winter 2000. Print copies are available from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse by writing to P.O. Box 8547, Silver Spring, MD 20907, or calling 800-358-9295 within the U.S., or (703) 437-2078 from outside the country.

Editor's Notes:

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) published findings from its ADHD clinical trial in the December 14 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Two scientific articles based on the research of the McMaster University report on treatment of ADHD were published in the December 17 issue of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

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